France have underscored their credentials as the leading age-group rugby nation, overwhelming New Zealand 55-31 in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship semifinals in Cape Town on Sunday (Monday NZ Time).
Ten days ago, the three-time reigning champions were beaten 27-26 by New Zealand in pool play, but when expectational blindside Joe Quere Karaba strode through the middle of an unguarded ruck and sprinted 25 metres for a try after three minutes, warning signs were ominous.
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France scored again in the seventh minute with a breathless break down the left flank. Wing Hoani Bosmorin zoomed inside the 22, passed outside to first-five Hugo Reus, who was knocked towards the sideline by opposite Rico Simpson. Reus offloaded mid-air to trailing lock Charly Gambini.
New Zealand enjoyed 62 percent of possession and 55 percent of territory throughout but missed 27 of their 57 tackles as they slumped to a 34-14 halftime deficit.
The French offloading was mesmerising at times and Reus played a Christophe Lamaison-type blinder, tormenting the Kiwis with his pin-point kicking - 20 points from the tee and two cross-field kicks that directly led to tries. The last was a 'cherry on top' moment to bring up a half-century for France.
The French loose forwards were simply better on the day. Strapping No 8 Mathis Castro was unstoppable near the line and when New Zealand hinted at a resurgence it was snuffed out by a Quere Karaba intercept.
New Zealand scrummaged strongly with tighthead prop Josh Smith enjoying a rousing game. The lineout drive was occasionally destructive too. A penalty try from a sturdy push was the source of New Zealand’s first try.
Halfback Dylan Pledger has been consistently good in South Africa. His 30-metre runaway try when New Zealand trailed 24-7 was a worthy Aaron Smith impersonation.
Things threatened to completely derail after halftime when Castro completed his hat-trick in the 45th minute and it became 41-14.
Four minutes later, New Zealand wing Stanley Solomon was sent off for a head-on-head contact on French halfback Leo Carbonneau.
Carbonneau backchatted the referee and New Zealand scored a try from the ensuing penalty, with King Maxwell the finisher.
New Zealand scored again on the hour mark and there was some hope at 41-24 until fullback Mathis Ferte finished the Karaba intercept.
Gambini topped the tackle count with 18, while Karaba had 15. New Zealand’s top tackler was openside Johnny Lee with seven. In the carrying department, New Zealand second-five Xavi Taele led all comers with a dozen.
Remarkably, France lost all three of their home Six Nations matches this year and finished third in the championship, their worst display since 2008. However, France is now seeking to equal New Zealand’s record of four consecutive World titles set between 2008 and 2011.
France will play England in the final after the English defeated Ireland 31-20 in the other semifinal.
New Zealand plays Ireland for third on Friday (kick-off 2.30am Saturday NZT).
France Under-20 55 (Joe Quere Karaba, Charly Gambini, Mathis Castro 3, Mathis Ferte, Xan Mousques tries; Hugo Reus 7 con, 2 pen) New Zealand Under-20 31 (Penalty try, Dyan Pledger, King Maxwell, Aki Tuivailala, Andrew Smith tries; Rico Simpson 3 con). HT: 34-14